The Karnataka Government has made it mandatory for doctors working at taluk hospitals and primary health centres (PHCs) to record their night-time presence through the geo-fencing-based Kartavya mobile application, as part of a pilot initiative to ensure that government employees reside at their designated headquarters.

The system will come into force on November 1, 2026, for doctors working under the Health and Family Welfare Department. They must record their attendance through the app after 9 p.m. each day, while they are within the geographical limits of the town or village designated as their headquarters.

The order, issued by Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary of the Praja Seva Department, with the Chief Minister’s approval, aims to ensure that officials and employees remain at their places of posting so that public services are delivered without delay.

Exemption for those on leave

Employees on sanctioned leave will be exempt. Exemptions will also apply to those on official duty outside their headquarters with the approval of the competent authority and to those who have obtained prior permission to leave their headquarters. The reasons for the leave or permission must be clearly recorded in the app.

Commissioners and district health officers will be required to review night-attendance reports every month. Employees found not residing at their designated headquarters without permission may face disciplinary action under the applicable civil service rules.

The order follows observations during an inquiry by the Upalokayukta that several government employees were not residing at their designated headquarters and were instead managing their duties from distant places. This had resulted in delays in reporting for work and inconvenience to the public, the order stated.

The government said the pilot was intended to improve compliance with service rules and to ensure that officials were available to meet the public’s needs.

Based on the results of the pilot, the Kartavya app-based attendance system may be extended to employees in other government departments and cadres in the coming days.

Mandatory for contract, outsourced staff

The government has also made it mandatory for contract and outsourced employees working in all government departments, offices, boards, corporations, authorities and government-aided institutions to record their attendance through the Kartavya mobile application.

The extension of the app-based attendance system, previously limited to permanent government employees, has been approved by the Chief Minister, according to a separate circular.

Department heads and office authorities have been directed to ensure that all contract and outsourced employees under their jurisdiction register on the app by November 25, 2026.

From December 1, attendance of all such employees must be recorded exclusively through the Kartavya app.

Attendance linked to payments

The government has also linked attendance records to payments. From January 1, 2027, salaries of contract employees and bills submitted by outsourcing agencies will be released only on the basis of attendance reports generated by the app.

Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) have been instructed not to release payments if attendance has not been recorded on the app.

The government said attendance had so far been maintained through handwritten registers or other separate systems. Since the salaries and payments were met from government funds, the new system was intended to ensure uniformity, transparency and reliable attendance records.

Department heads and officials will be held personally responsible for lapses in implementing the order, Mr. Gupta said in the circular.